Stakeholders lament over alleged militarisation, herdsmen destructions of farm produce in Anambra
Stakeholders in Anambra State, on Thursday, expressed displeasure over alleged militarisation of roads and destruction of farm produce by the herdsmen.
The stakeholders who raised the alarm at one day town hall meeting on security held in Awka, Anambra State Capital by the News Central TV, alleged that the security were extorting the masses at roadblocks just as herders kill, rob and rape farmers.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisations (SWOFON), Awka North Local Government (LGA) chapter, Mrs Favour Nworah, lamented that farmers, especially women no longer access their farmlands due to fear of herders attacks, thereby multiplying hunger in the agrarian communities.
Contributing, a lecturer from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Dennis Aribodor, urged governor Chukwuma Soludo and President Bola Tinubu to rise up against the insecurity by checkmating activities of the military and other security agents on the highway so as to prevent them from indulging in unprofessional conduct.
On his part, the Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Anambra East LGA, Igwe Ben Emeka urged the police and other law enforcers to expedite action towards prosecuting issues of herders and farmers attacks in line with relevant laws of the land.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Dr Ikioye Orutugu urged parents and families to support the fight against insecurity by training their children in good manners, including provisions of credible information that could lead to arrest and prosecution of criminals around them.
Earlier, the Managing Director, News Central TV, Mr Kayode Akintemi, said the programme which has been held in several parts of the nation, was aimed at addressing insecurity by engaging and encouraging the citizenry to rise and support the government efforts through speaking up against evil and releasing vital information.
